THE PROBLEM
Most Contractors Are Overpaying Taxes on Their Fringe Benefits
If you’re working on public works or government-funded projects, you’re required to pay prevailing wage — including fringe benefits.
Many contractors:
- Pay fringes as taxable cash
- Use generic 401(k) plans not designed for prevailing wage
- Risk audit issues due to improper documentation
- Miss opportunities to strengthen retention and owner contributions
There is a smarter way to structure your retirement plan
WHAT WE DO
Specialized Prevailing Wage 401(k) Plans Designed for Construction
TLC4 Prevailing Wage provides customized retirement plans specifically structured for:
- Davis-Bacon projects
- State prevailing wage work
- Public works contractors
- Mixed workforces (prevailing & non-prevailing wage employees)
We design compliant 401(k) plans that allow bona fide fringe contributions to be properly allocated and documented — helping contractors reduce payroll burden while strengthening employee retirement benefits.
This is not a generic 401(k).
This is a construction-specific compliance strategy.
HOW IT WORKS
How Our Prevailing Wage Retirement Plans Work
- Fringe dollars are allocated based on hours worked on qualifying projects
- Contributions are made into a compliant 401(k) structure
- Proper documentation supports certified payroll and audit requirements
- Employees gain retirement savings instead of short-term taxable cash
- Owners and key employees may increase long-term retirement accumulation
We coordinate with payroll providers, TPAs, and recordkeepers to ensure proper plan structure and ongoing compliance.
BENEFITS TO CONTRACTORS
Why Contractors Nationwide Work With TLC4PW
- Reduce FICA, FUTA, and payroll-related costs (when structured properly)
- Strengthen employee retention and recruitment
- Improve bid competitiveness
- Increase owner retirement contributions
- Receive guidance from a specialist focused exclusively on prevailing wage plans
- Nationwide service with construction industry expertise
We understand certified payroll, fringe crediting, and the complexities of public works compliance.
WHY TLC4PW
A Specialist — Not a Generalist
Most 401(k) providers are not equipped to design plans around prevailing wage requirements.
TLC4 Prevailing Wage works exclusively with construction contractors navigating:
- Davis-Bacon compliance
- State prevailing wage laws
- Fringe credit allocation
- Mixed wage classifications
- Government audit preparation
With over 17 years of experience in retirement plan consulting, we help contractors structure plans correctly from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can prevailing wage fringe benefits be deposited into a 401(k)?
Yes — when structured properly as a bona fide fringe benefit plan consistent with applicable regulations.
Does this work for companies that only perform some public works projects?
Yes. Plans can be designed for contractors with mixed workforces doing both public and private work.
Will this reduce my payroll taxes?
When implemented correctly, certain payroll-related costs may be reduced compared to paying fringes as taxable cash.
What states do you serve?
We work with public works contractors nationwide.